4 Things You Should Never Put in the Washing Machine

A quick wash between appointments, press a button and move on – that is how laundry works in most homes. Until the machine suddenly vibrates, bangs loudly or a favourite jumper comes out barely recognisable. These mishaps are rarely caused by a faulty appliance; more often, certain delicate textiles have simply been treated in a way that does not suit life inside the drum.

Why some items push a washing machine to its limits

A washing machine drum may look robust, but it is not a vault. It rotates, speeds up and slows down, while anything hard, heavy or poorly balanced repeatedly hits against it. During spinning in particular, the forces acting on the bearings, suspension and drum become more intense.

The fabrics themselves can suffer at the same time: fine materials snag, fibres are strained beyond their limits and garments lose their shape. The same troublemakers appear in many homes: metal parts from underwear, heavy shoe soles, sensitive wool fibres and fabrics that hold water like a sponge.

“Anyone who washes everything ‘as usual’ risks, over time, a vibrating machine, damaged bearings and clothes that age faster than necessary.”

Three warning signs indicate that the washing machine is overloaded:

• unusually loud banging or rumbling
• a spin cycle that repeatedly stops or seems to be “searching”
• clothing emerging from the drum noticeably misshapen, stretched or snagged

When this happens, extra detergent or a tougher programme will not solve the issue. What is needed is clearer separation: which items can the machine genuinely handle, and which need special care?

Problem 1: Bras – small metal parts, major drum damage

Bras may seem harmless, yet they can create a surprising amount of chaos inside a washing machine. Their hooks catch on other garments, pull threads or tear delicate lace. Underwires are even more problematic: movement can bend them, make them break through the fabric and leave them loose in the drum like small metal pins.

They can then scrape along the drum interior, leave scratches and strike the metal at high speeds like tiny hammers. In the worst case, they pass through the holes in the drum into the outer tub, where they may block the pump or heating element.

“A single bent bra underwire can make the bra unusable and cause expensive damage to the washing machine.”

How to protect bras and the drum

• Always put bras in a laundry bag
• Fasten the hooks so they cannot catch on anything
• Choose a delicate programme with a low spin speed
• Do not tumble-dry them; dry them flat instead

Anyone with particularly expensive lingerie can take an additional step and hand-wash it in lukewarm water. It takes a few minutes longer, but can substantially extend the life of each item.

Problem 2: Shoes – when the washing machine becomes a vibrating platform

Trainers and canvas shoes are increasingly put in the washing machine for convenience. It may be practical, but their heavy soles turn into rolling battering rams. They strike the drum and door glass, cause the appliance to move around and create severe imbalance.

For the machine, this means bearings wear out sooner, the suspension is put under strain, and the electronics continually detect an imbalance and cancel spin cycles. The outcome is not much better for the shoes: glued sections can come apart, cushioning components may deform, and leather or synthetic leather is more likely to crack.

How to clean shoes safely

• Only wash shoes in a sturdy laundry bag or a dedicated shoe-washing box
• Add 1–2 large towels to cushion the impacts
• Select a low temperature and reduced spin speed
• Wash insoles and laces separately

Hand-cleaning offers even more control: loosen dirt with a brush, use lukewarm water and a little mild detergent, then allow the shoes to air-dry. Please do not place them on a radiator, as heat can warp adhesives and materials.

Problem 3: Wool – a standard programme turns a favourite jumper into children’s size

Wool follows its own rules. Heat and vigorous movement cause the fibres to lock together, so the fabric felts and shrinks. One ordinary cotton wash can turn a perfectly fitting jumper into a stiff garment that is far too small.

Wool fibres are naturally elastic as well, but they lose that quality when squeezed, twisted or spun too harshly. Afterwards, the garment can look “tired”, hang unevenly and feel itchier.

“Wool is not merely sensitive; it takes it personally when it is treated like a T-shirt.”

The right care for wool items

• Always choose cold water, or water no warmer than hand-warm
• Use a wool or delicates programme
• Use a specialist wool detergent, never heavy-duty detergent
• Spin only gently, ideally at low speeds
• Never wring wool out; press it in a towel and dry it flat

If in doubt, take the care label seriously. Terms such as “hand wash” are not decorative; they are clear warnings. A gentle wool cycle may still work in some cases, but it always involves a small risk.

Problem 4: Waterproof textiles – hidden weights in the spinning drum

Membrane jackets, waterproof trousers and outdoor overgarments have a deceptive feature: they do not allow water to pass through, so it collects instead in folds and compartments. Their weight rises rapidly during washing, and during spinning that trapped water often shifts to one side.

The result is a seriously unbalanced drum, a machine that “jumps”, interrupted spin cycles and unusually high stress on its mechanics. The fabric can also be damaged by unsuitable products, such as fabric conditioner, which attacks the protective coating.

How to wash waterproof fabrics correctly

• Wash only a small number of items at once
• Set a gentle spin that increases gradually
• Do not use fabric conditioner
• Use a specialist reproofing product where needed
• Air-dry, or briefly reactivate the treatment in the tumble dryer in line with the manufacturer’s instructions

If the machine becomes unusually noisy or moves heavily during spinning, stop the cycle, rearrange the items and reduce the load. This keeps the strain on the appliance within a safe range.

A quick everyday reference guide

Textile	Main risk	Recommended solution
Bras	bent underwires, scratches inside the drum	laundry bag, fasten hooks, gentle programme
Shoes	heavy impacts, imbalance, loss of shape	protective bag, towels for cushioning, low temperature
Wool	felting, shrinking, loss of elasticity	cold wash, wool programme, dry flat
waterproof fabrics	trapped water, drum imbalance	small load, gentle spin, no fabric conditioner

Why a little extra effort makes financial sense

A new washing machine can easily cost several hundred pounds, while a technician repair often runs into three figures. By comparison, a few basic accessories are inexpensive: a laundry bag, shoe bag, specialist detergents for wool and technical clothing. They generally cost only a single-figure or low double-figure amount, yet can save real money in the long run.

There is also the emotional value to consider. A shrunken wool coat that no longer fits, or trainers made unwearable by an unsuitable wash, can rarely be replaced like for like. Sorting garments properly and selecting suitable programmes can significantly extend the life of every item.

Practical routines that make everyday life easier

A small laundry station at home can help: keep a basket for delicate items, with laundry bags inside and a separate compartment for wool and technical clothing. That way, these pieces do not end up in the standard wash in the first place. Many people also put a brief list beside the machine showing programmes suited to specific textiles, including the maximum spin speed.

Before starting a cycle, take a moment to check whether the basket contains bras, wool jumpers, shoes or waterproof jackets. Doing so protects not only the washing machine, but also your wardrobe. The key question before every wash is this: when wet, does this garment behave like an ordinary T-shirt – or does it contain weight, metal, special fibres or trapped liquid that deserves special treatment?